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Thursday, December 31, 2009

Recently I have been hosting a (nearly) weekly craft night. It is one of the most rewarding things I do. Not only am I spending time with some of my dearest friends, but I'm also getting to be productive with all that creative energy.

Last night we made prints on canvas out of freezer paper. It's kind of similar to screen printing, but much more labor intensive if you want to do more than one.

Here's how the magic happens:

Draw your design with pencil on the non-shiny side of the paper. Then cut it out with an Xacto blade. You can do floating shapes inside of a cut-out but know that you'll have to manually position it on your fabric, and it is difficult to keep it in place.

Next, iron it shiny-side down onto your fabric until it's mostly stuck. Use a very hot iron.Use a sponge brush or paint brush to dab your paint directly onto the fabric. Be sure not to spread the paint using strokes. Paint could be pushed under the stencil this way. It's not pretty, trust me.Gently peel your freezer paper stencil from the fabric. You really should wait for it to dry before removing. That being said, we were all super impatient, and pulled it off immediately after painting it. You just need to be careful that your wet stencil doesn't fall onto your print....and ta-da! This is my finished tote bag.Alissa's beautiful honeycomb print.Maria's canvas panel to later be stitched to her tote bag.

Monday, December 28, 2009

I missed this pic in my random update somehow. It's a photo of Mrs. Tessa right after her first roller derby scrimmage. Even though her team the Gingerbread Girls, lost to the Elves I think she looked pretty darn cute doing it.

This Christmas has been absolutely bananaface! I've been crafting and wrapping and shopping and baking (or watching Rodger bake), and gifting since December 1st. Somehow I even managed to squeeze in my job and an occasional work out. Unfortunately, the one thing that has fallen to the wayside (other than my laundry pile), is this blog. I promise I will do better.

Here is a very brief overview of what has been going on over the past month.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

If Poppytalk's blog were a page in a book, it would be all ear-marked and about to fall out because of how often I visit it. They never cease to inspire me. Today I came across these cute, free, downloadable labels that they were kind enough to offer us all:http://poppytalk.blogspot.com/2009/02/free-downloadable-labels-from-us.html

I plan on using them as gift labels for Christmas this year. I hope they're okay with me opening the .pdf up in Illustrator and making them my own. I customized the colors to match the scheme we're going with for our tree and gift wrap this year. Then I added in a "to/from" line with our names in it. This way the recipient's name is the only thing you have to write in. This is important to me, as I have hopelessly sloppy penmanship.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

I drew this girl months ago. Since that day she has hung on the wall of my cube, patiently waiting for the inspiration to strike me. Today she got her shot.

I was invited to a print swap in Cincinnati that is to take place on December 1st. Participants have been instructed to provide a few prints of 3 original pieces. Of course, I can't bring just any old pieces! I must have something new to share. So last night I got painting—the fruits of those labors to be shared soon. Then today I used a brief lunch period to give that old drawing a new life. I live-traced her, brought in some other elements, faked in some paint splatter and VOILA! Instant art.

I don't usually illustrate mostly on the computer (unless I'm designing notebooks, of course). I really enjoyed this, though. I might continue in this vein a bit more. I love to experiment.

Monday, November 09, 2009

The hubbs and his band are playing in a couple of weeks with two of my favorite local groups. Okay Lindon and Vanity Theft are guaranteed to rock your face off, and Me & Mountains will be awesome, per usual.

I was pleased as punch when the guys asked me to whip up a little flyer for the event. So, occasional, random reader, if you happen to be a local, occasional reader you should come out for this epic night of face-rocking.

Saturday, November 07, 2009

In my photo library, I have our honeymoon folder labeled "Florence 2006". I think I did this because deep down I know I'll be back. I know there'll be a "Florence 2014" folder (or something like that). In the meantime, we'll plan conquests of other far away lands such as London, Scotland, or Disney World (hehe).

Here's a couple snippets out of my memory from one of the most precious times in my life.

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

I was scrolling through my pictures tonight, recounting the amazing spring/summer/fall that I had. In the process, I came across this adorable picture of my friend, Tessa. I hadn't really paid it much attention before. Looking at it tonight, though, it conjures immensely warm feelings. The air was sticky, the music in the club was deafening, and we had both had our share of alcohol. It's a sloppy snapshot of miniscule moment of friendship. I think it's beautiful.

Monday, November 02, 2009

Sunday, November 01, 2009

Several members of my department decided not to be lame this year, and joined creative forces as a legion of zombies. Of course, we won the group costume contest. It was definitely the most fun I've had at work in a long time!

Even zombies need coffee to get going in the morning.

I was a zombie scout.

Design Center of Zombies!

Even death couldn't do them part *corny evil laugh*I think he had practice at the zombie pose thingP.S. I LOVE Halloween!

welcome, welcome

I'm not a photographer, but I love to take pictures. I also love to draw & craft, & do a little designing, too (that's how I bring home the bacon, anyway). This blog is a place for the things that I love and the things that I create to come together in a blissful way. Have a look around, friend. Stay as long as you like.